Afghan president: No pact without peace process

Afghan President Hamid Karzai says he will not sign a security pact with the United States unless Washington and Pakistan launch a peace process with Taliban insurgents.

Karzai has repeatedly refused to approve the Bilateral Security Agreement, which allows American troops to remain in Afghanistan beyond the end of this year.

The US wants Karzai to accept a residual force of foreigners to stay on and back up the new Afghan security forces, but Karzai says before accepting the terms governing that force, he wants Washington to help resume peace talks. (AP)